Movie Reviews

‘8 Found Dead’ review: You know what’s gonna happen, so is it worth it?

Never fully develops.

September 7, 2023

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the work being covered here wouldn’t exist.

8 Found Dead is a title out of another decade. It sounds like a wacky indie movie overflowing with dark humor and yes, eight dead people. (Or maybe seven and one horse.) In 2023, it sounds like the title of a true crime 20/20 special. It is not based on a true story and is a new movie, however. As a matter of fact, it follows a recent trend in genre, the double booked Airbnb. Well, triple booked in the case of 8 Found Dead. Add in a pair of police officers and a nonlinear story and the film is an interesting tale on the vacation rental home thriller.

The title lets audiences know what is going to happen; it’s just a matter of who and why. The writing is especially important since it has to juggle multiple storylines while keeping things engaging. It has its moments, but noticeable flaws prevent the film from being something truly special.

There have been plenty of stories that reveal the deaths of characters before they appear on screen. It is always a risky choice as it takes away much of the suspense. A strong script can overcome this and this is where 8 Found Dead falters. There are some strong performances, but it often feels like the film is treading water. The tone is all over the place and the intrigue that is naturally built in never fully develops.

Still, there is enough here to keep audiences watching. There are a few funny moments and some of the forays into full blown horror are a refreshing change of pace. 8 Found Dead can be a little too overbearing at times, but there is some enjoyment to be found.